Means for marking lenses and similar articles



Jan.5,1943'. vl., v9: Goppu TAL 21,307,501

MEANS FOR MARKING LNSES AND-SIMILAR ARTICLES v' Original Filed June 20,l1939 'l 2 Sheets-Sheet l SI v 25 "ff .una

vAN v,

vIVVENTOJIII. LLoYo w. aooou c. csa/@Fong EY Jan. 5, 1943. L w, GQDDUETAL f 2,307,501

MEANS Fon MARKING LENsEs AND SIMILAR ARTICLES v original Filed June 2o,1939 IINVEJVIOR u oYD w. eonnu :AN

AWN?? l Patented Jan. v, 1943 MEANS FOR MARKING LENSES AND SIMILARARTICLES Lloyd W. Goddu, Southbridge, and Ian C. Crawford, Belmont,Mass., assignors to American Optical Company, Southbridge, Mass., avoluntary association of Massachusetts @riginal application June 20,1939, Serial No. d this application June 12,

280,144. Divided an 1941, Serial No. 397,

6 Claims.

This invention relates to marking glass articles and more particularlylenses, lens blanks and the like, and has particular reference toimproved means of providing such articlesV with an inconspicuous mark ofidentication.

The application is a division of our co-pending application Serial No.280,144, filed June 20, 1939.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide anidentification mark on glass articles, such as lenses, lens blanks orthe Vlike having a nished optical surface thereon With the mark appliedto said surface so as to be substantially invisible to an unaided eyeand which will not affect the optical characteristics of the article sothat the said mark may be applied to the article to permanently remainthereon and has particular reference to improved means of applying saidmark.

Another object is to provide improved means of applying inconspicuousmarks of identification simultaneously on a plurality of such articles.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection With the accompanying.drawings and it will be apparent that many changes may be made in thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts shown and describedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in theaccompanying claims. The invention, therefore, is not limited to thespecific details of construction andarrangement of parts shown anddescribed asthe preferred forms -only have been given by wayviofillustration.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. I is a diagrammatic plan embodying the invention;

Fig. II is a side elevation of the marking means of the deviceillustrated in Fig. I;

Fig. III is a top plan view of the marking means illustrated in Fig. II;I

Fig. IV is a partial view in elevation, looking from the right of Fig.III;

Fig. V is a plan view of the pattern design employed in the deviceillustrated in Fig. I;v

Fig. VI is a sectional View taken as on line VI-VI of Fig, V;

Fig. VII is a schematic View of the electrical wiring system of saiddevice;

Fig. VIII is a plan view of the Work holding means; and

Fig. IX is a side elevation of the work holding means illustrated inFig. VIII.

View of the device A There are available,1 mechanisms and processesl forabrading the 'surface of glassware so as t0` mark distinctly on theglassware a design, or 'indicia or the like. Such designs, however, wereso formed as to be distinctly visible -to an unaided eye and were inmost instances for decorative purposes. The present inventiondistinguishes from such markings in that Athe abrading operationperformed by the device embodying the invention is not for decorativepurposes and is not conspicuously visible to an unaided eye. Itscharacteristics distinguish from the prior art in that the markingsmaybe formed on a nished optical surface without being visible to anunaided eye and do not destroy the optical characteristics of thesurface on which the mark is placed. Such marks, therefore, areparticularly valuable as means of identiiication orvfor brandingpurposes where the appearance, attractiveness or even the usefulness ofthe glass article or lens is not injuriously aected as would be thecaseif the marking were sharply denedand of such character as to bereadily visible to an unaided eye.

In accordance with the present invention treat-l ment of the surface ofthe glass during the forming of the identication mark is so controlledthat the mark is only'superficially formed so that Aa barelydistinguishable mark is obtained without injury to the article |or lenseither from the op-y tical viewpoint or from the standpoint ofappearance.Y The identication mark and' means 'of making the same,according to the present invention, results from the use of an'abradingtool Whose Contact is so restricted and controlled 'as to produce'a fineline or spaced depressions, either separately of or in addition to saidline,'which individually are not visible to an unaided eye, but saidvlines or spaced depressions are so grouped in adjacent relation witheach other within'a controlled path that they will be distinguishable inthe presence of .proper illumination but'will not be readily visible toan Yunaided eye or whenl examined under improper lighting conditions.

Referring more particularly to the drawings' wherein like characters ofreference designate likev parts throughout the several views the Ydeviceem-` bodying the invention comprises broadly a plu- Y rality ofvibrating marking devices I supported by a suitable pantograph 2 havinga tracermem` ber 3 for following a desired pattern 4. 'I'he markingdevices I have suitable marking means 5 adapted to form a marksimulating the mark of the pattern 14 on lenses 6 carried by suitablelens-holders 1. Y

The pantograph arrangement shown is onlyA by way of illustration of howa pluralityof mark#y ing devices may be simultaneously controlled -byy*n a single tracing member and pattern. Although only two markingdevices are shown, it is to be understood that a plurality'of suchdevices may be under the control of a single tracer and pattern member,it being necessary, of course, to provide suitable pantograph mechanismfor accommodating a greater number of marking devices.

The marking devices I, as shown in Figs. II to IV inclusive, eachcomprise a diamond point 8 which is adjustably supported, by means of aclamp nut or the like 9, on an arm I I)A carried by a member IIpivotally attached at I2. to a support I3 which is adapted to be securedtothe arm I4 of the pantograph.

The arm I has, in general, the cross-section of an angle (see Fig. IV),an upright side of which carries an electromagnet I5. 'Ihe electriccontacts for supplying a current to the magnet are shown at I6 and I'Irespectively. The base of the angled arm portion I9 is cut away at I8 sothat the front portion of the device in which the point 8 is mounted isconnectedto the main portion of the base by a reduced neck I9. The rearportion of the base is secured, as by screws or the like 2 0, to thememberV Il. The member II which is pivotally attached at I2 ispreferably solidand, therefore, relatively heavy as compared withtheremainder of the device I. The member II, which is adapted to tilt aboutits pivotal connection I2, is provided with a rearwardly extending rod2I on which is threadedly mounted a counterbalancing weight 22. Byadjustment of the weight away from or toward the pivot I2, the pressureof the point 8 upon` the lens being marked, may be lightened orincreased. A rubber cushioning member 23 surrounds the outer end of ther'od'2I so as to cushion the lifting movements of the point 8.

The weight 22 provides one adjustment of the affective marking point 8.In addition, a rheostat 24.which controls the current supply to themagnet I5, sov as to vary the amplitude of vibration 'of the point 8 asintroduced by said electromagnet I5, is positioned in the electricalcircuit of the marking device. A further control for the vibration ofthe vpoint 8 is afforded in connection with a wing 25 which risesupwardly from the base of the arm adjacent said neck portion I9 andextends rearwardly along the device I. The front part of the wing 25acts as an armature for the magnet I5, and transmits vibrations set upby the magnet to the front portion of the base of the device I, thisbeing the portion which carries thev point'. Adjacent the rear end ofthe wing 25 is a post 26 terminating at its lowerv end as one of thescrews by which the arm I9 is secured to the member II. An adjacentscrew 2l extends through the wing 25 with its head engaging the outersurface of the wing. A compression spring 23 is interposed between thepost and the inner face of the wing 25. Screwing the screw 2l toward thepost 26 decreases the freedom of vibration of the wing 25 and thereforethe point 8, while unscrewing the screw, has the opposite effect. As itis this wing 25 which serves as the armature of the magnet I it ispreferred to weld to the inner surface ofthe wing 25 opposite the magneta thin plate of metal 29.

In the construction of pantograph illustrated, the support I3 ispreferably moved by the motion transfer mechanism of the pantographtok'produce the design 4 as the tracer pin Iiismoved within the confinesof the design. It is to be understood, however that pantographvarrangement may be used whereby either the support 'I for the lens, orthe support I3, or both, may be moved by any suitable pantograph motionto produce the design which is desired. It has been found that thevibration of the diamond point 8 does away with the objectionablefeatures of marking lenses or glassware with a non-vibrating diamondpoint. The mark produced, in accordance with the invention, is ingeneral lighter and therefore from said point of view less objectionablethan a mark produced by a non-vibrating diamond point which has beenpreviously used in the past. The distinctness of the mark can be variedin accordance with the adjustment made. It will be noted that there havebeen provided three such adjustments; namely,l the counterbalancingeffect of` the, weight 22, the compression of the spring 28 by the screw2l and the adjustment of the current supply by the rheostat 24. Thesefeatures are of advantage in the marking of glassware, such as lenses,lens blanks or the like, particularly where it is desirable that themark be unobtrusive or substantially invisible to an un aided eye. Themark might be distinguished as comprising a series of contiguous markswithin a controlled band width in a guided path of nievement and of acontrolled depth, which individual marks are invisible to an unaided eyebut when grouped in said band width results in a superficial mark whichis visible to the naked eye substantially only under suitable lightconditions, as by looking through the lens at some dark surface whilelight is shining on the lens and by tilting the lens until a position islocated wherein the mark is readily visible.

The design pattern plate 4, as shown in Figs. V and VI, has. groovedportions 33 of the desired configuration of the design which is to beformed on the lenses or lens blanks. Ilhe marking is accomplished byguiding the tracerY member or pin 3 withn'the connes of the groovedconfiguration of the pattern plate. It is to be noted by reference toFigs. V, VI and VII, that the currentsupply which is coming through thelead wires3I and 32, from any suitable source of electrical energy,through the transformer 33 into the lead wires 34and 35, is directed tothe tracer pin 3 and to the pattern plate 4 so that the circuit isenergized only when the tracer pin which is preferably formed of metal,engages the patternplate 4, also preferably formed of metal, thatis,when the metal of the pin 3 comes in contact with the metal of the plate4. The plate 4 is provided with insulation members 36, 3l, 38 and 39,which provide dead points for breaking the circuit to the electromaget,I5.

When forming the identication marks on the lenses, the pin 3 is rstplaced in contact with the insulation member 35. At this point thecircuit deenergized so that the points V8 are not vibrating. The markingpoints 8V are then engaged with the surfaces of the lenses to be markedwith the pressure controlled through the counter balance Weight 22, etc.The tracer pin 3 is then moved from engagement with the insulationmember 36 into contact with the metal of the plate 4 within the groove39. The instant that thecontact point engages the metal of the plate 4the circuit to the electromagnet i5 is closed and the tools 8immediately begin to vibrate. The rst movement is throughout thecircular configuration of the pattern and is continuous until the point37 is reached, whereupon the pin moves into engagement with saidinsulation memberl. When Yat this point the circuitis automaticallybroken and vibration of the tools 8 ceases. This is to prevent the tools8 from cutting too deeply into the surface of the lens being marked atthe start and finish of said marking. The contact 3 is then placed inengagement with the insulation member 38 and is moved substantiallycontinuously toward and into engagementwith the insulation member 39. Itbeing understood that the marking points 8 have been lifted from thelenses and placed in contact therewith after the tracer pin has beenplaced in engagement with the insulation member 38. This completes themark. The size of the mark formed on the lens is controlledby adjustmentof the marking devices l longitudinally of the arm I4 according to thesize of the master pattern 4. It is to be understood that although onlyone pattern design is illustrated several different pattern designs,that is of diierent conguration, may be employed. It is also to beunderstood that prior to the tracing of said design on the lenses therheostat 24 is suitably adjusted so as to control the extent ofvibration of the tool 8.

The holding means 'I comprises broadly a pair of fixed contacts 40 and apair of movable contacts 4i. The contacts 4l are carried by a plate 42slidably mounted in a suitable slideway 43 formed in the plate 44carrying the stationary contacts 40. A suitable spring 45 constantlyurges the movable contacts 4| towards the iixed contacts 40 and areadapted to engage the edge surface of the lenses 6 to be held thereby.Although a specific type of holding device has been shown or described,it is to be understood that any desirable holding device may beemployed. It is also to be noted that the identication mark may bepositioned in any desired location on the lens or lens blanks.

Although a diamond marker has been described, it is to be understoodthat any suitable type of abrasive means might be used, for example, themarking device may be a solid metallie pin point with which looseabrasives generally known in the art may be employed, or any otherdesirable marking means, such as Sapphires or the like might be used.

The present invention, has distinct advantages in that the mark formedis broadened out rather than deepened so that while the contiguous marksindividually are invisible to an unaided eye the broadening out of thelines of the pattern produced by said contiguous marks renders the markvisible under suitable conditions. The mark is contrasted fromdecorative marks in that such decorative marks, as have been usual inthe prior art, were distinctly visible and were intended for visibledecorative purposes. The mark in the present instance is carefullycontrolled so as to be supercial in its character and. substantiallyinvisible and of a nature which will not alter the opticalcharacteristics of the light rays passing through either portion of thelens. The mark as seen under high powered magnification is contrastedfrom the deep cut marks of prior art in that it constitutes a series ofadjacent slight depressions rather than a continuous line of equaldepth. This, of course, would be varied according to the adjustment ofthe vibrating of the tool.

It is to be understood that while there has been illustrated anddescribed the embodiment of the invention which is at present preferredit will be understood that the invention may be otherwise practicedwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

l. In anY apparatus for marking glassware, a markingV tool structurecomprising in part a marking tool supported for movement into engagementwith the glassware in a given direction, a flexible arm havingv aportion responsive to magnetic force and an electromagnet on saidstructure so arranged as to direct its magnetic force on said portion ofsaid arm responsive to said magnetic force in a direction transverselycf the direction of movement of the marking tool into engagement withthe glassware, said structure and associated parts thereof beingpivotally connected with a carrying member so as to permit movement ofthe marking tool in said given direction into and out of engagement withthe glassware to be marked, weight means on said structure forcontrolling the pressure of the marking vtool on the glassware and meansfor electrically energizing said electromagnet for creating a vibratorymovement of the tool in said transverse direction.

2. In an apparatus for marking glassware, a marking tool structurecomprising a plate-like portion to which a marking tool is attachedadjacent cne end thereof with the longitudinal axis of the marking tooldisposed substantially in normal relation with the plane of saidplate-like portion, with said plate-like portion having an angularlydisposed side portion with the major portion thereof free to flex withrespect to said plate-like portion and having means responsive tomagnetic force thereon, an electromagnet on said Yplate-like portion sodisposed as to directY its magnetic force on said means responsive tosaid magnetic force in a direction substantially normal to thelongitudinal axis of the marking tool, said structure and associatedparts thereof being pivotally connected with a carrying member at apoint spaced from said marking tool, weight means on said structure forcontrolling the pressure of the marking tool on the glassware and meansfor electrically energizing said electromagnet for creating a vibratorymovement of the tool in a direction substantially normal to thelongitudinal axis of the tool.

3. In an apparatus for marking glassware, a marking tool structurecomprising kin part a marking tool supported for movement intoengagement with the glassware in a given direction, a iiexible armhaving a portion responsive to magnetic force and an electromagnet onsaid structure so arranged as to direct its magnetic force on saidportion of said arm responsive to said magnetic force in a directiontransversely of said given direction of movement of the marking toolinto engagement with the glassware, said structure and associated partsthereof being pivotally connected with ,a carrying member so as topermit movement of the marking tool into and out of engagement with theglassware to be marked, weight means on said structure for controllingthe pressure of the marking tool on the glassware and means forelectrically energizing said electromagnet for creating a vibratorymovement of the tool in a direction transversely of said given directionof movement of the tool into engagement with the glassware with thecombined effect of said vibratory movement and said weight being theproduction of a plurality of adjacent spaced marks of controlled depthin said glassware.

4. In an apparatus for lmarking glassware,

ak marking tool. structure comprising inpart a marking tool supportedfor movement into engagement with the glassware in a given direction, aflexible arm having a portion responsive to magnetic force and anelectromagnet on said structure so arranged as to direct its magneticforce on said portion of said arm responsive to said magnetic force soas to produce a controlled vibratory movement in said tool in adirection transversely of said given direction of movement of themarking tool into engagement with the glassware and within a controlledband width resulting from the controlled limits of the vibratorymovements of the tool relative to the-glassware, said structure andassociated parts thereof being pivotally connected with a carryingmember so as to permit movement of the marking tool in said givendirection into and out of engagement with vthe glassware to be marked,weight means on said structure for controlling the pressure of themarking tool on the glassware, said weight means being movable to aposition whereby said marks resulting from said vibratory tool will beof a controlled superficial nature and, because of said vibratorymovement,

said marks will be in adjacent relation with each other Within thelimits of said band width and means ior electrically energizing saidelectromagnet for introducing said vibratory movement.

5. In an apparatus for marking an article, a marking tool structurecomprising, in part, a marking tool supported for movement intoengagement with the article in a given direction, a flexible bar havinga portion responsive to magnetic force and an electromagnet on saidstructure so arranged as to direct its magnetic force on said portion ofsaid arm respective to said magnetic force in a direction. substantiallytransversely' to the direction of movement of the marking toolA intoengagement with the article, vsaid structure and associated partsthereof being connected with a carrying member so as to permit movementof the marking tool in said givenV direction into and out of engagementwith the article to bek marked, pressure controlled means on saidstructure for controlling the pressure .of the marking tool on thearticle and means for electrically energizing said electromagnet forcreating a vibratory movement of the tool in said substantiallytransverse direction.

G. In an apparatus for marking an article, a markingtool structurecomprising in part a marking tool supported for movement into engagementwith the article in a given direction, a exible arm having a portionrresponsive to magnetic force and an electromagnet on said structure soarranged as to direct its magnetic force on said portion of said armrespective to said magnetic orce in a direction substantiallytransversely to the direction of movement ofthe marking tool intoengagement with the article, said structure andr associated partsthereof being pivotally connectedwith a carrying member so as to permitmovement of the marking tool in said given direction into and out ofengagement with the article to be marked, weight means on said structurefor controlling the pressure of the marking tool on the article andmeans for electrically energizing said electromagnet for creating avibratory movement of the tool in said transverse direction.

' LLOYD W. GODDU. IAN C. CRAWFORD.

